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Why Is Synthroid So Expensive and What Is It Used For?
Did you know that over 4.5% of the population in the United States has an underactive thyroid? In some cases, you may not notice any symptoms. However, it has close ties with lethargy and weight gain, pushing many individuals to find a treatment. Dietary and lifestyle changes may not make a difference for your thyroid, and most physicians recommend medication management. Luckily, the medication used – Synthroid – helps many patients feel “back to normal,” so to speak. Have you looked it up and asked yourself, “why is Synthroid so expensive?”
Luckily, we will answer that question and much more in our complete guide below, so don’t miss out!
What Is Synthroid?
Synthroid is a prescription medication to treat hypothyroidism and specific thyroid cancers. Its main active ingredient is levothyroxine, which is also available as the generic version.
How does Synthroid work?
Your thyroid gland produces a hormone (thyroxine) that helps with energy and metabolism. Thyroxine can affect your level of alertness, weight gain, weight loss, or heart rate. It can also help with digestion, normal brain development, and muscular functioning.
Synthroid is a replacement for the thyroxine hormone. As the name sounds, “hypo” thyroidism is a disorder where your thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroxine. In thyroid cancers, Synthroid medication lowers your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
What Are the Side Effects and Risks?
Synthroid typically causes side effects when it increases thyroxine levels too much. Even slight hormonal changes can cause systemic side effects and changes. Some of the more mild Synthroid side effects are:
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle spasms
- Hair loss
- Feeling anxious
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss or gain
Most of these symptoms may appear when you first start the medication or change dosages and disappear within a few days. Serious side effects can still occur and require medical attention. A few examples of Synthroid’s severe reactions are:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
Side effects can be indicative of too little or too much Synthroid. When you have too much, you’ll feel more anxious and have a faster heart rate or extreme weight loss.
On the other end of the spectrum, too low a Synthroid dose causes weight gain, tiredness, or weakness. Luckily, Synthroid comes in many different tablet strengths, from 25 mcg to 300 mcg.
How To Take Synthroid
Synthroid is a medication that must be taken before you eat or drink. Most patients take it first thing in the morning before eating breakfast. Use a full glass of water versus coffee or other drinks when taking this medication.
Additionally, try and take it around the same time daily.
Why Is Synthroid So Expensive?
When you look to buy Synthroid, you may be shocked that this popular thyroid medication can cost over $173 for a 90-day supply. Most physicians recommend taking this hormone medication daily for the best results, and suddenly stopping can cause adverse reactions.
It can take several weeks for Synthroid to start working, and many individuals may need to be on the medication long-term. Paying over $170 every three months quickly eats into your wallet. At Canadian Pharmacy Online, Synthroid costs $35 for a 90-day supply.
Why is there a drastic price fluctuation to buy medication from Canada versus the United States?
In the United States, drug prices are not regulated. Without price caps, medications are primarily set by private drug companies.
There are two sides to this argument. One argues that the cost to purchase medication makes it largely unaffordable for many Americans who need these life-altering prescriptions. Drug companies claim that lowering prices will hinder research and new medications.
However, Canada operates a bit differently and implements higher regulations and maximum price caps. What experts have seen is that Canada has not suffered from a lack of innovation or significantly reduced profits for pharmaceutical companies.
Can You Purchase Synthroid Through a Canadian Pharmacy?
In one word: yes! You can purchase Synthroid and other prescription medications through Canadian Pharmacy Online.
You will find much lower prices for many costly medications, such as Synthroid. How does this process work?
- Upload your prescription
- Find your dosage and medication
- Fill in your address and billing
Medications are shipped to the United States and delivered right to your doorstep. These are high-quality medications that require a professionally reviewed prescription before purchasing.
Are There Other Medications for Hypothyroidism?
Synthroid or levothyroxine is the gold standard for most underacting thyroid disorders. Synthroid comes in different brand names and generic prescriptions.
Studies comparing Synthroid and its generic counterpart, levothyroxine, found that Synthroid performed better. Typically, generic versions are equal in their mechanisms of action and treatment outcomes.
But in reality, there is a little wiggle room between the two. For example, drug batches must be within 95% to 105% potency. Although this window seems small, thyroxine levels don’t need much adjustment for you to feel its effects.
Generic versions can have slightly different potencies, resulting in higher risks for adverse side effects. Generic drugs can also include fillers such as additives that improve absorption. Color may also vary.
Brand-name prescription drugs have consistent dosages, fillers, and potency. Other brand names for Synthroid are Levoxyl, Levothroid, and Unithyroid.
Purchase Your Next Synthroid Prescription
Have you wondered why is Synthroid so expensive? Many prescription drugs in America fall under the trap of high price ranges that are not government regulated.
Instead, you can buy Synthroid through Canadian Pharmacy Online for a fraction of the price. Synthroid is an effective medication for many patients dealing with insufficient thyroxine levels.
Don’t let high prices keep you from getting this much-needed prescription. Check out our website today and get started with your next prescription refill!